Florida Beaches to Visit

Florida has over 1200 miles of coastline to explore and a wide variety of beaches. So, you may be wondering which Florida beaches to visit. 

People often form strong opinions about which Florida beaches are the best but at the end of the day it’s all a matter of personal preference. 

With that being said, there are a few Florida beaches that I highly recommend you consider visiting on vacation.

I have been a beach photographer for over 10 years and that’s led to me visiting a lot of Florida beaches. Here are a few of my personal favorites: 

Ponce Inlet 

For some reason, Ponce Inlet has managed to fly completely under the radar. It’s a very small town just south of Daytona Beach and only an hour and a half away from Orlando – but it feels worlds away. 

This picturesque Florida beach town is home to the second tallest lighthouse in the country. It is also home to one of the most beautiful state parks in Central Florida, Lighthouse Point Park. 

You’ll trade high rise condos for high rise sand dunes and a bustling night life for quiet night time beach strolls.

Longboat Key 

Longboat Key is a small and luxurious resort style town. You won’t find chain restaurants or hotels but instead small town charm with a touch of luxury. 

The white sand beaches in Longboat Key aren’t typically crowded and the gulf coast sunsets are post Card worthy. 

Longboat Key isn’t your typical touristy Florida beach and I think that’s why it isn’t as well-known.

New Smyrna Beach 

No list would be complete without mentioning our beloved New Smyrna Beach. Considered the second oldest city, just behind St. Augustine, NSB is full of small town charm. 

You can drive on the beach from the Jetty down to the 27th avenue. New Smyrna Beach is also perched along the Indian River Lagoon which is the most bio-diverse lagoon in the world. A nature enthusiasts or history buffs Beach paradise. New Smyrna Beach neighboring Ponce Inlet means that you’ll also see tall sand dunes and views of the Ponce Deleon Lighthouse. 

Some people worry about sharks but don’t worry; the locals don’t bite!

Anna Maria Island 

The parking can be tricky but it’s much better to explore Anna Maria Island via golf cart anyway. 

This is a very small town with vacation homes and stunning beaches. Chances are you’ll see a dolphin but you aren’t going to find a shopping center loaded with chain restaurants. 

I visited in spring and was blown away by the clearness of the water. I was also swept away with the small beach town charm.

Siesta Key 

If you’d never heard of Siesta Key, it has been voted the best beach in the US. Siesta Key deserves that title too as it has pure quartz sand that is extremely soft and cool on your feet. 

The water can also be very clear and turquoise on calm days. Siesta Key isn’t home to a lot of chains either but it can attract a crowd. There is plenty of free parking available but on busy days it can fill up. The sunsets are out of this world in Siesta Key as well. 

St. Augustine Beach 

There is a beautiful lighthouse at Anastasia State Park and downtown St. Augustine is absolutely adorable. 

St. Augustine Beach is very quiet, secluded and feels very dreamy. It’s a very romantic beach in my opinion and great for a couple’s getaway!

West Palm Beach 

If you really want to dive deep into a luxurious beach vacation then West Palm Beach is perfect for you. 

Worth Ave is a stunning shopping district with a very impressive collection of designer boutiques. The beaches in West Palm have sparkling blue-green waves that are extremely vibrant. 

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park 

Key west isn’t really known for their beaches but Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of my personal favorites. 

The water is calm and usually pretty clear and the sunsets are unbelievable.

Santa Rosa Beach 

No list of Florida Beaches to visit would be complete without including the panhandle. Santa Rosa Beach and all of 30A is arguably the most scenic stretch of coastline in the state. 

The water is extremely blue and clear and the sand is so soft and cool on your feet. Additionally, 30A is sprinkled with some of the cutest beach towns that you’ll ever see. 

You can also find a really unique feature called a dune lake in this area, where there is water inside the sand dunes.